Ontario Laboratory Accreditation (OLA) assesses the ability of a lab to perform the scope of tests for which it is licensed and provides them with formal recognition of this competence through accreditation to the OLA 15189Plus™ standard. It also provides medical labs with the tools they need to standardize their processes, address diminishing resources and set a quality benchmark.

OLA 15189Plus™ accreditation requirements are based on ISO 15189 and are augmented with international standards for safety and point-of-care testing, national standards for blood safety, government regulation and generally accepted principles of good practice.

As a partner of Standards Council of Canada, OLA can help laboratories receive an internationally recognized ISO 15189 certificate. OLA’s peer-based, in-depth accreditation process helps laboratories understand ISO 15189 requirements, engage staff, implement best practices and promote patient safety.

To achieve this, a laboratory undergoes an accreditation assessment visit conducted by a team of peers comprised of both quality system and technical experts carefully tailored to the scope of testing of the laboratory. If areas of non-conformance are cited, the laboratory is expected to take corrective action within 90 days of the visit. A panel determines if the laboratory meets the criteria for an accreditation certificate of either two or four years. Ongoing surveillance that includes a self-assessment mid-cycle, monitoring of proficiency testing/external quality assessment and changes within the laboratory ensures continued competency between assessment visits.

These rigorous standards provide the basis for our OLA 15189 Plus™ accreditation:

• ISO 15189:2007(E) Medical laboratories—particular requirements for quality and competence

• ISO 15190:2003(E) Medical laboratories—requirements for safety

• ISO 22870:2006(E) Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)—requirements for quality and competence

• CSA Z902-04 Blood and Blood Components March 2004